Orientation Summer 2013

Academics at UMW

Fred A. Pierce IIIAssociate Provost, Enrollment Management and Student Services

University of Mary WashingtonEnrollment4,515 undergraduate students 578 graduate students

Student-to-Faculty Ratio 14:1

UMW ranks sixth among public southern universities in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2013 edition of America’s Best Colleges, and

16th among all southern universities in the same category.

Mary Washington has been ranked in the top 20 among southern universities each year for more than five consecutive years.

Liberal Learning

The value of exploration:

• Knowledge acquisition• Become a well-rounded scholar with an

education grounded in broad exposure to knowledge in many fields

• Enhance critical thinking, sound reasoning abilities, and effective communication skills

UMW’s Academic Structure

College of Arts & SciencesCollege of BusinessCollege of Education

Components of a B.A./B.S. Undergraduate Degree

General Education (30-43 credits)The common core curriculum that underscores our liberal arts foundation

Major (30-45 credits)Focus on knowledge and discovery in the primary field, or fields, of interest

Electives (32-47 credits)Courses a student elects to take

Minor Optional (15-28 credits)

Students graduate when they have fulfilled the required components of an undergraduate degree with a minimum of 120 credit hours.

Defining the General Education Requirements*• Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses)• Natural Science (2 courses)• Language (through 202 level)• Arts, Literature and Performance (2 courses)• Human Experience and Society (2 courses)• Global Inquiry (1 course)• Experiential Learning (1 course)

- Study Abroad -Internships for Academic Credit- Undergraduate Research -Community Service

• Speaking Intensive Requirement (2 courses)• Writing Intensive Requirement (4 courses)

*Students who have completed an Associates Degree in an approved VCCS program are waived from all general education requirements EXCEPT:

Language, Experiential Learning, Writing & Speaking Intensive

30+ Undergraduate Programs of Study •American Studies •Anthropology •Art History •Biology •Business Administration •Chemistry•Classics •Computer Science •Economics • English, English with a Creative

Writing Concentration • Environmental Science - Natural

Science and Social Science Concentration

•French •Geography •Geology •German

•Historic Preservation •History •Interdisciplinary •International Affairs •Latin •Mathematics •Music • Philosophy , Philosophy with a Pre-

Law Concentration •Physics •Political Science •Psychology •Religion •Sociology •Spanish •Studio Art •Theatre •Women’s and Gender Studies

Academic and Career Advising

Academic planning for undeclared students is offered through the Office of Academic Services and Career Services.

If you are ready to declare a major (eligible after 28 credits), you will work with the department chair who will assign a major advisor.

•Undergraduate Catalog•Tutoring•Focus Seminars and Study Skills Workshops:

Note Taking Avoiding ProcrastinationTest Taking Study GroupsOrganization Stress ManagementTime Management

•Academic Internship Program•Major Exploration•Job/Internship Search•Resume/Cover Letter Preparation•Interview Preparation•Graduate School Preparation•Alumni/Employer Networking Events

Academic and Career Services Resources

•Faculty•Academic and Career Services, Lee Hall 2nd floor window•Center for International Education, Lee Hall Suite 434•Disability Resources, Lee Hall 401•Resources Inspiring Student Excellence (RISE) Peer Mentor Program, Lee Hall 211•Speaking Center, Combs 101•Writing Center, Trinkle 107-A

Additional Resources

•Participate in study abroad•Intensive academic experiences•Pursue experiential learning (i.e. internship or community service)

related to your professional interest

Using Summers Strategically

• Build your professional contacts through intentional networking• Prepare for graduate school

Fall 2013 tuition bills sent/viewable through EaglePAY: Early JulyFall 2013 tuition bills due: End of JulyMove-in day: Aug. 22nd

First day of classes: Aug. 26th

Last day to add a class: Aug. 30th Last day to drop a 16-week course without a grade of “W”: Sept. 13th Fall Break: Oct. 10th-14th Last day to drop with a grade of “W”: Oct. 25th Last day of classes: Dec. 6th Reading days: Dec. 7th-8th Finals exams: Dec. 9th-13th

Important Dates

•Class Registration: http://academics.umw.edu/registrar/course-schedules-and-registration/

•Academic Calendar: http://academics.umw.edu/calendar/fall-2013/

•Academic and Career Services: http://www.umw.edu/academicandcareerservices/•Technology: http://technology.umw.edu/info/

Useful Websites